Non-Grabbable Football Helmet Device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to the field of football helmets. More specifically, the present invention relates to a non-grabbable football helmet device primarily comprised of a visor and a face mask assembly that can be attached to a football helmet. In differing embodiments, the visor may be fixedly or removably attached to the face mask assembly. In the preferred embodiment, the face mask assembly has a main face mask frame comprised of at least one vertical member and at least one horizontal member that are arranged in a grid-like pattern that form a plurality of openings. The openings are sized such that the fingers of opposing players cannot penetrate the main face mask frame and cannot injure the wearer or become broken.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/212,843 which was filed on Jun. 21, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of football helmets. More specifically, the present invention relates to a non-grabbable football helmet device primarily comprised of a visor and a face mask assembly that can be attached to a football helmet. In differing embodiments, the visor may be fixedly or removably attached to the face mask assembly. In the preferred embodiment, the face mask assembly has a main face mask frame comprised of at least one vertical member and at least one horizontal member that are arranged in a grid-like pattern that form a plurality of openings. The openings are sized such that the fingers of opposing players cannot penetrate the main face mask frame and cannot injure the wearer. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

Standard football helmets are equipped with a protruding face mask used to protect the wearer's face during practice and games. However, players may accidentally or inadvertently grab another player's face mask during the course of play. This not only slows down the game via a penalty, but also diminishes the gameplay and entertainment value. Furthermore, players may get seriously injured if their facemask is grabbed due to the pressure and strain placed on the neck and spine. In addition, players who grab a face mask may have their fingers broken by the face mask. Further, players may inadvertently poke the eyes of other players during play, which can result in serious injury. These issues are especially of concern in youth and junior football.

Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for an improved football helmet with an improved football face mask. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a non-grabbable football helmet device that does not allow a player to grab another player's face mask. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a non-grabbable football helmet device that does not allow a player to grab another player's face mask and also protects the eyes of the player.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a non-grabbable football helmet device. The device is primarily comprised of a visor and a face mask assembly that can be attached to a football helmet. In differing embodiments, the visor may be fixedly or removably attached to the face mask assembly. In the preferred embodiment, the face mask assembly has a main face mask frame comprised of at least one vertical member and at least one horizontal member. The members are arranged in a grid-like pattern that form a plurality of openings. The openings are sized such that the fingers of opposing players cannot penetrate the main face mask frame and cannot injure the wearer or break.

In this manner, the non-grabbable football helmet device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides an improved football helmet. The device does not allow a player to grab another player's face mask. In addition, the device also protects the eyes of the player. As a result, the device benefits players executing an offensive play sequence, thus further adding to the entertainment value of a football game.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a non-grabbable football helmet device. The device is primarily comprised of a visor and a face mask assembly that can be attached to a football helmet. The visor may be fixedly attached to or removably attached to the face mask assembly. The visor may be reflective, transparent, semi-transparent, tinted, or may be any color. The visor is further preferably manufactured from a polycarbonate material.

The face mask assembly is preferably made from a polycarbonate material. The face mask assembly may be any color known in the art or have any finish known in the art. The face mask assembly is comprised of a support frame. The support frame allows the mask assembly to attach to a football helmet via existing means known in the art found on football helmets. The support frame is preferably comprised of at least one vertical member and at least one horizontal member.

The mask assembly is also comprised of a main face mask frame which protects the face of the wearer. The frame is generally curved in shape in a convex manner and in the preferred embodiment, is comprised of at least one vertical member and at least one horizontal member. The members intersect to form a grid-like pattern on the mask frame. The pattern forms a plurality of openings of such size and spacing that the fingers of opposing players cannot penetrate nor get stuck in the openings. In a differing embodiment, the frame may be comprised of only vertical members or only horizontal members. Further, the members can be arranged on the frame to form indicia. The indicia may be, but is not limited to: patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, numbers, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., to allow a player to customize the appearance of the mask frame.

Accordingly, the non-grabbable football helmet device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved football helmet via the device, wherein the device does not allow a player to grab another player's face mask. Further, the device also protects the eyes of the player. In this manner, the non-grabbable football helmet device overcomes the limitations of existing football face masks and football helmets known in the art.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a non-grabbable football helmet device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a non-grabbable football helmet device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a non-grabbable football helmet device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for an improved football helmet with an improved football face mask. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a non-grabbable football helmet device that does not allow a player to grab another player's face mask. In addition, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a non-grabbable football helmet device that does not allow a player to grab another player's face mask and also protects the eyes of the player.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a non-grabbable football helmet device primarily comprised of a visor and a face mask assembly that can be attached to a football helmet. The visor may be fixedly attached to or removably attached to the face mask assembly. In addition, the visor may be reflective, transparent, semi-transparent, tinted, or may be any color and is preferably manufactured from a polycarbonate material.

The face mask assembly is preferably made from a polycarbonate material and may be any color known in the art or have any finish known in the art. The face mask assembly is comprised of a support frame. The support frame allows the mask assembly to attach to a football helmet via existing means known in the art found on football helmets. The support frame is preferably comprised of at least one vertical member and at least one horizontal member.

The mask assembly is also comprised of a main face mask frame which protects the face of the wearer, wherein the frame is generally curved in shape in a convex manner and, in the preferred embodiment, is comprised of at least one vertical member and at least one horizontal member. The members intersect to form a grid-like pattern on the mask frame. The pattern forms a plurality of openings of such as size and spacing that the fingers of opposing players cannot penetrate nor get stuck in the openings. In a differing embodiment, the frame may be comprised of only vertical members or only horizontal members. Further, the members can be arranged on the frame to form indicia. The indicia may be, but is not limited to: patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, numbers, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., to allow a player to customize the appearance of the mask frame.

Accordingly, the non-grabbable football helmet device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides an improved football helmet using the device, wherein the device does not allow a player to grab another player's face mask. Further, the device also protects the eyes of the player. In this manner, the non-grabbable football helmet device overcomes the limitations of existing football face masks and football helmets known in the art.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a non-grabbable football helmet device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is primarily comprised of a visor 110 and a face mask assembly 120 that can be attached to a football helmet 10. In various embodiments of the device 100, the visor 110 may be fixedly attached to or removably attached to the face mask assembly 120 via existing visor and face mask attachment means known in the art. A removably attached embodiment allows a user to swap various visors 110 while keeping the face mask assembly 120 secured to the helmet 10, and also allows a user to swap various face mask assemblies 120. In various embodiments, the visor 110 may be reflective, transparent, semi-transparent, tinted, or may be any color. The visor is further preferably manufactured from a polycarbonate material.

The face mask assembly 120 is preferably made from tubular components that are preferably manufactured from a polycarbonate material. In differing embodiments, the assembly 120 may be any color known in the art or have any finish known in the art, such as but not limited to, chrome, gold, etc. The face mask assembly 120 is comprised of a support frame 130 that allows the mask assembly 120 to attach to a football helmet 10 via existing means known in the art found on football helmets 10. The support frame 130 is preferably comprised of at least one vertical member 132 and at least one horizontal member 134. Although, in various embodiments the support frame 130 may also have curved members.

The mask assembly 120 is also comprised of a main face mask frame 140. The face mask frame 140 protects the face of the wearer. The frame 140 is generally curved in shape in a convex manner and in the preferred embodiment is comprised of at least one vertical member 142 and at least one horizontal member 144. The members 142,144 intersect to form a grid-like pattern on the mask frame 140 with a plurality of openings 146. However, it should be noted that the openings 146 are of such size, shape, and spacing that the fingers of opposing players cannot penetrate nor get stuck in the openings 146. In differing embodiments, the exact spacing, shaping, position, and angles between the members 142, 144 and the openings 146 created by the members 142, 144 may vary so as long as the openings 146 created are of a size and spacing that the fingers of opposing players cannot penetrate, nor get stuck in the openings 146. In one embodiment, the openings 146 are less than 19 mm in size (i.e., height and width), wherein 19 mm is the average circumference of a male finger. However, the size of the openings 146 may be based on various child and adult finger circumferences and sizes in differing embodiments.

In a differing embodiment, the frame 140 may be comprised of only vertical members 142 or only horizontal members 144, as seen in FIG. 2 . Further, the members 142,144 (as well as at least one curved member 150) can be arranged on the frame 140 to form indicia 160, as seen in FIG. 3 . The indicia 160 may be, but is not limited to: patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, numbers, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc. As a result, a player can customize the appearance of the mask frame 140.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “non-grabbable football helmet device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the non-grabbable football helmet device 100 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the non-grabbable football helmet device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the non-grabbable football helmet device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the non-grabbable football helmet device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the non-grabbable football helmet device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the non-grabbable football helmet device 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-grabbable football helmet device comprising: a football helmet; a visor; and a face mask assembly comprised of a main face mask frame having a plurality of vertical members and a plurality of horizontal members.
 2. The non-grabbable football helmet device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vertical members and the plurality of horizontal members form a plurality of openings.
 3. The non-grabbable football helmet device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of openings are less than 19 mm in each of a height and a width.
 4. The non-grabbable football helmet device of claim 1, wherein the visor is removably attached to the face mask.
 5. The non-grabbable football helmet device of claim 1, wherein the visor is comprised of a reflective material.
 6. A non-grabbable football helmet device comprising: a visor; a face mask assembly attached to the visor; and a main face mask frame.
 7. The non-grabbable football helmet device of claim 6, wherein the visor is tinted.
 8. The non-grabbable football helmet device of claim 6, wherein the face mask assembly is tubular.
 9. The non-grabbable football helmet device of claim 6 further comprised of a plurality of vertical members and a plurality of horizontal members that form a plurality of openings.
 10. The non-grabbable football helmet device of claim 9, wherein the plurality of vertical members and the plurality of horizontal members form an indicia on the main face mask frame.
 11. The non-grabbable football helmet device of claim 10, wherein the indicia is a pattern, a logo, an emblem, an image, a symbol, a design, a letter, a word, a character, an animal, an advertisement or a brand.
 12. The non-grabbable football helmet device of claim 6, wherein the face mask assembly is fixedly attached to the visor.
 13. A non-grabbable football helmet device comprising: a football helmet; a visor; and a face mask assembly attached to the visor and comprised of a support frame and a main face mask frame.
 14. The non-grabbable football helmet device of claim 13, wherein the face mask assembly is comprised of a curved member.
 15. The non-grabbable football helmet device of claim 13 further comprised of a plurality of vertical members and a plurality of horizontal members that form a plurality of openings.
 16. The non-grabbable football helmet device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of vertical members and the plurality horizontal members form a grid-like pattern on the main face mask frame.
 17. The non-grabbable football helmet device of claim 13, wherein the face mask assembly is comprised of a chrome finish.
 18. The non-grabbable football helmet device of claim 13, wherein the visor is comprised of a transparent material.
 19. The non-grabbable football helmet device of claim 13, wherein the face mask assembly is colored.
 20. The non-grabbable football helmet device of claim 19, wherein the visor is manufactured from a polycarbonate material. 